Family PrOFiLe at Akiva Hebrew Day School, where Elana is in the 8th grade and Moshe is a 5th-grader. How They Met: Alan and Lissie, both native Detroiters, were in the same Hebrew class at Wayne State University. Lissie says, "It was friend- ship at first sight." Professionally Speaking: Lissie is director of the nursery, cis well as a teacher for the nursery and a par- ent-toddler class at Akiva Hebrew Day School. Alan is a lease/finance manager for a local car dealership. What's Important: Our Jewish family life," Lissie says. "I love our Jewish family life together. It affects everything we do — a new food we might try, the way we dress, the way we behave." Family Togetherness: The Rothsteins believe in plenty of family time. Both parents make an effort to spend time alone with each child, as well as enjoy activities that involve everyone. A key element in a successful par- ent-child relationship, Lissie says, is day-to-day conversation. "When you talk to your children, things come up all the time because there's always dialogue," she says. "Parents can learn to be good lis- teners by asking children what's important to them, what matters in their lives." Food For Thought: The Rothsteins never feel limited because they keep kosher. "We have so much available to us," Lissie says. "We can go into any grocery store and there's so much to choose from." Of course, there are other challenges. Dena is a vegetarian. Mindy is allergic to dairy prod- ucts, sesame seeds and nuts. Ellie is allergic to nuts, and Elana and Moshe cannot eat fish or nuts. 8/20 1999 70 Detroit Jewish News What everyone can agree on: pasta with tomato sauce. Free Time: Because the Rothsteins love to read, "our home is filled with books," says Lissie. One of her favorites is Mendel's Dwarf by Simon Mower. The children love reading, too. Moshe enjoys non-fic- tion, especially books that focus on how the human body functions. Dena and her mom tend to like the same stories. Shabbat: Friday night in the Roth- stein home is always family time. "When everyone is home, it's noisy," Lissie says. Dinner often begins with lentil or minestrone soup when vegetarian Dena is home from school (chicken when she's not). The main course usual- ly consists of chicken and plenty of vegetarian side dishes. Lissie, Mindy and Elana do most of the cooking. Mindy makes the cholent for Shabbat lunch and Elana's specialty is desserts. - Moshe helps out, too, by making a salad. On Saturday morning, the family goes to shul — first Alan and Moshe, then the rest of the family. In the afternoon, Alan and Lissie enjoy a walk alone together, while the younger children have friends over sometimes. "VVe play games, too," Lissie says. "But our favorite activity is just talking." How To Build A Happy Family: "Prioritize," Lissie says. You have to know what the most important things in your life are. It may mean that your house is messy, or you don't have the fan- ciest things in the world. What is most important in our lives? Our family. "The issue is, 'What comes first in life?' For me, no matter what I do throughout the entire day, my chil- dren are first on my mind and first on my agenda." ri Teachers Talking Great advice from those who know — about making an easy transition back to school. Can Waldman Special to Appletree Whether you are the parent of a child going to kindergarten for the first time, or a veteran at send- ing your son or daughter back to school, you know the next few weeks will be a time of transition, Carefree summer schedules and Parent Tips For A relaxed bed times will be exchanged for alarm clocks, - lunch bags and after-school sports. When it comes to getting pre- pared for Back to School, who bet- ter to give advice than teachers? Gayle Elias, who teaches third grade at Hillel Day School of Met- ropolitan Detroit, says that the child's good attitude is the most important thing to bring on the first day of school. Shiny pencils and new crayons are nice, she says, "but a positive attitude makes all the difference. Children can have mixed feelings at the beginning of the school year, Elias notes. "They are unsure of new teachers, nervous about what they will be learning, and apprehensive about making new friends," she says. "Parents can instill confidence in Easier Transition ack To School: 1. Start o– the school year with a good attitude. A parent's support can make the difference. 2. Get your children to start reading again if they have not picked up a book all summer. 3. Begin enforcing stricter schedules for bedtime; start waking up your children earlier; get into a routine. 4. Give your children a tour of their new school. Show them the location of tne bathroom and principal's office. 5. Instill the importance of grades from the day your freshman son or daughter enters high school.